SignWorks has been working with the building’s architect and property management staff to determine how to use the traditional brass directory frame while rescaling it to make it more readable and updated. Initially we also explored the idea of using a digital display while keeping the brass frame, but that option proved to be more expensive and less easy to orchestrate given the dimensions of the display relative to the existing frame. Months after the initial site survey was complete, the client decided to move forward with the project and we worked on resizing the engraved slats from 6 ½” wide by ½” tall to 6 ½” wide by approximately 2” tall. The change in slat height allows the backlit directory (pictured) to look fuller with less dead space, while preserving the timeless and classical elegance of the brass frame with its polished stone entry lobby.
The 22 Battery Street building is and eleven story commercial property in the heart of San Francisco’s financial district. It contains more than 66K square feet of usable space and houses many commercial tenants.
Nowadays static building and lobby directories tend to be more modern, often with metallic slats or accents. A case in point is another of our commercial real estate clients who has us re-apply vinyl lettering when there are changes at the Vale Road (San Pablo) property that they manage. In fact, engraved slats are often replaced with cut vinyl ones so that as tenants change, the vinyl slat lettering is easily peeled and replaced with the new tenant information. Typically, once the overall size of the directory space has been decided, the number of tenants will typically determine the size of the slats and the corresponding letter height.
If you are contemplating upgrades to your building or floor directories, SignWorks would be happy to provide our expertise and to help you decide on just the right look for your building. We welcome the opportunity to make the process easy for you and we’re happy to help with design, fabrication and installation of your new directories. For more information please call us at (510) 357-2000. To learn more about us, just visit our website to view blog posts and photographs of our most recent projects.